Stop Wasting Money on Clothes: The Ultimate Guide to Calculate Cost Per Wear

We’ve all been there. You see something cute - the perfect party dress, a comfy knit, a fun pair of heels that you’re sure you’ll wear to a dinner next week - and you buy it. Next thing you know, you’ve worn it once or twice and it gets buried at the back of your closet with all the other things you thought you’d use. 

The fashion industry is built on swaying you towards making impulse buys. But if you’re being completely honest with yourself, you (and your wallet) already know that impulsivity isn’t the right strategy to build a wardrobe you love. 

Instead of buying clothes on a whim and hoping that the perfect opportunity to wear them comes around, I’m introducing you to your newest wardrobe strategy - calculating Cost Per Wear. 

What is Cost Per Wear (and How to Calculate It)? 

The idea of “cost per wear” is pretty simple. It’s about getting the most value out of your clothes for the money that you pay for them. 

Like anything that you invest in - and I’m a firm believer that clothes are meant to be an investment - you can and should get a return on what you pay. Would you buy a car and never drive it? Most people would say no, unless you’re the type with a fancy garage full of them, and the same should go for your clothes. 

In this case, your return on investment from your clothes comes from how many times you actually wear and use a piece to justify the price of purchasing it. 

Figuring out cost per wear isn’t difficult. If you’re not a mathematician (because honestly, same), finding out the cost per wear of your clothes isn’t something that you need to be the next Einstein to do. Even a guesstimate can work.

So here’s the formula: 

Cost per wear = total cost of the item ÷ number of times you wear it

That’s literally it.

Finding out the cost per wear of what you own means that you’re actually tapping into the value of your clothes. This also means that the value of what you wear isn’t coming from the price tag alone, but from how much use you actually get from what you buy. 

Why Does Cost Per Wear Matter? 

Using cost per wear is a helpful tool to find clothes that you’ll actually use long-term and that will add something to your life. Because why invest in something that doesn’t give you value? 

Calculating cost per wear helps you to: 

• Spend your money wisely 

• Avoid post-purchase regrets

• Own clothes that you’ll actually wear 

• Reduce clutter and overwhelm 

• Shop intentionally without losing joy 

• Strengthen your personal style over time 

For shop-a-holics and people who love clothes this is a great exercise in your girl-math skills, and a really smart way to plan what you own. It helps you connect with your personal style, kicks the addiction to the trend cycle, stops you buying things you don’t need that end up getting thrown away (into landfill), and protects your hard-earned cash. It’s a winner all round. 

How to Estimate Cost Per Wear and Value Before You Buy

When you choose pieces for their long-term value, you start to see clothes in a different way. Instead of seeing “wants” everywhere, you start to ask questions about what it is that you really need. 

But, we all have to start at the beginning. Before you fall for the temptation of a new piece of clothing, there are some questions you can ask before even considering handing over your cash. 

When you’re deciding if something is really worth the buy, ask: 

• How often will I wear this? 

• Can I style this with things I already own? 

• Does it match my lifestyle? 

• Will it still feel like “me” by next year?

Pieces that tend to work well and hold a lot of value can cross seasons, occasions, and moods, while still reflecting your personal taste and style. 

Higher Cost Can Equal Better Value 

Some clothing comes with a big price tag that might slink out of the store or leave that online cart in the dust. But this is actually where value and quality start to come together, and the girls that get it, really get it - and you’re about to be one. 

The reason some clothes are more expensive than others is because of two things: what they’re made of and how they’re made. 

Clothes made from natural fibres like wool, silk, and so on, tend to be more pricey, because they’re premium materials that are likely to last longer. Well-made clothing - think handmade or independent designer, rather than fast fashion that often cuts corners on quality - is likely going to fetch a higher price, too. 

But the good news is that these things tend to last longer. It’s a self-fulfilling type of deal, where you buy for a long time, not just a good time. Over time, the value stacks up, because these clothes that you bought start to become investment pieces that you come back to time and again.

I have an amazing coat that I’ve worn every Autumn/Winter season for the past 4 years. Honestly, every time I bring it out I’m actually excited to wear it. It’s well-made with a beautiful thick fabric, it keeps me warm, it goes with pretty much everything I already own, and it’s a one-of-a-kind sample from an Australian brand. I’m yet to see someone else with this exact coat, and it gets a lot of compliments. It’s a real feel-good item in my closet and the return on investment is off the charts. This coat is one of my greatest investment pieces and has seen me through many seasons, both literal and personal ones.

How to Get the Best Cost Per Wear From Your Clothes 

Smart investors make their money go further, and you can do that with your clothes, too. To get the best return on investment from your clothing, think about: 

• Buying for your real life, not a fantasy version

• Make a mood board or inspiration board 

• Prioritise timeless pieces over trend-based buys

• Choose garments that fit well and feel good 

• Care for your clothes (wash, store, and repair) 

• Rewear your clothes (outfit repeating is chic now)

• Track your wardrobe (I built a tool below)

Getting the most value from the clothing you buy is about longevity, versatility, and genuine wearability.

Ready to Try It? 

Plan purchases, review your wardrobe, and do it all in one place. 

Download this simple Cost Per Wear calculator with two options to track your purchases: a single item sheet to calculate on-the-go, and a wardrobe log for long-term planning. 

It’s time to make your wardrobe pay dividends!

Cost Per Wear Spreadsheet.xlsx

Download XLSX • 18KB

Looking for more styling tips? Download a free guide to help you build outfit formulas you’ll actually wear.